🚀 go-pugleaf

mib@geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Michael I Bushnell) writes:
> In article <XR4ueB48w164w@mantis.co.uk> mathew@mantis.co.uk (Lieutenant 030) 
>    > The GPL does not prevent people from making money selling a program.
> 
>    Indeed.  However, it decreases the number of customers you can expect
>    for any given program, since any customer can sell or give away copies
>    to his friends.
> 
> So?

So given that you have a fixed development cost which must be recouped,
the amount each customer must pay is increased.  Personally, I think software
is expensive enough already.

>          We don't allow people to use guns to increase revenue either.
> Just because "they would have more customers" isn't a very good reason
> to support something.

It's not a good reason to object to it either.  The reason guns are 
objectionable is because they kill people.  Selling software does not result
in people dying.

I must say I had expected a less fatuous and spurious analogy, even from
an FSF supporter.


mathew

-- 
"Tolkien's writing appeals also to those with the mental age of a child --
 computer programmers, hippies and most Americans"
                                                        (Private Eye #785)